Precise positioning of patients for radiation therapy

Journal Article · Mon Feb 01 00:00:00 EST 1982 · Int. J. Radiat. Oncol., Biol. Phys.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0360-3016(82)90530-2· OSTI ID:6580900

Verhey, L J; Goitein, M; McNulty, P; Munzenrider, J E; Suit, H D

A number of immobilization schemes which permit precise daily positioning of patients for radiation therapy are discussed. Pretreatment and post-treatment radiographs have been taken with the patient in the treatment position and analyzed to determine the amount of intratreatment movement. Studies of patients in the supine, seated and decubitus positions indicate mean movements of less than 1 mm with a standard deviation of less than 1 mm. Patients immobilized in the seated position with a bite block and a mask have a mean movement of about 0.5 mm +/- 0.3 mm (s.d.), and patients immobilized in the supine position with their necks hyperextended for submental therapy evidence a mean movement of about 1.4 mm +/- 0.9 mm (s.d.). With the exception of those used for the decubitus position, the immobilization devices are simply fabricated out of thermoplastic casting materials readily available from orthopedic supply houses. A study of day-to-day reproducibility of patient position using laser alignment and pretreatment radiographs for final verification of position indicates that the initial laser alignment can be used to position a patient within 2.2 mm +/- 1.4 mm (s.d.) of the intended position. These results indicate that rigid immobilization devices can improve the precision of radiotherapy, which would be advantageous with respect to both tumor and normal tissue coverage in certain situations.

• Research Organization: Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
• OSTI ID: 6580900
• Journal Information: Int. J. Radiat. Oncol., Biol. Phys.; (United States), Vol. 8:2
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
IRRADIATION PROCEDURES
PLANNING
NEOPLASMS
RADIOTHERAPY
PATIENTS
POSITIONING
FRACTIONATED IRRADIATION
PROTONS
SHIELDING
BARYONS
DISEASES
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
FERMIONS
HADRONS
IRRADIATION
MEDICINE
NUCLEAR MEDICINE
NUCLEONS
RADIOLOGY
THERAPY
550603* - Medicine- External Radiation in Therapy- (1980-)